Student Emerges as Key Figure in Mysterious Spring Break Disappearance Case

Authorities have labeled a St. Cloud State University student as a “person of interest” in the troubling disappearance of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh scholar. Konanki, originally from Virginia, vanished during a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic. The search commenced on March 6.

On Wednesday, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office identified a 22-year-old man from Rock Rapids, Iowa, who was reportedly seen with Konanki at a resort just before she went missing. A spokesperson from St. Cloud State confirmed that he is currently enrolled at the university.

Despite this designation, the Sheriff’s Office emphasized that this is not viewed as a criminal investigation. “To be clear, he is not a suspect,” officials stated. The circumstances surrounding Konanki’s disappearance remain concerning; she went missing after stepping outside with other guests during a power outage near the hotel.

Family members reported that Konanki left her belongings, including her phone and wallet, with friends—a surprising detail given her habit of carrying her phone at all times. She traveled to the Dominican Republic with five other female students on March 3.

Hailing from Chantilly, Virginia, Konanki is a citizen of India and a U.S. permanent resident. Her parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki, have called for an expanded investigation into her case.

The University of Pittsburgh has expressed their support, remaining in close contact with the Konanki family and local authorities in Virginia. Dominican law enforcement continues to reinterview individuals who interacted with her before the incident. Search efforts have included drones, aircraft, and detection dogs, targeting waters off the island’s east coast.

Dominican President Luis Abinader noted that the last known person with Konanki mentioned that a wave crashed over them while they were on the beach. Meanwhile, Civil Defense Director Juan Salas reported a lack of recovery for her clothing, heightening concerns surrounding her situation.